Elicitation Techniques
✅ 1. What is Requirement Elicitation?
📌 Definition:
Requirement Elicitation is the process of gathering information from stakeholders, users, and subject matter experts to understand their needs, problems, and expectations for a system or process.
💡 Goal: To discover, clarify, and document the real needs of stakeholders to ensure that solutions align with business objectives.
✅ 2. Importance of Elicitation Techniques
Reason
Benefit
Understand stakeholder needs
Ensure the right problems are solved.
Clarify ambiguous requirements
Avoid misunderstandings and rework.
Engage stakeholders early
Gain buy-in and support for the solution.
Uncover hidden requirements
Ensure comprehensive requirement gathering.
Facilitate better communication
Bridge gaps between business and technical teams.
✅ 3. Common Elicitation Techniques for Business Analysts
Technique
Description
Best Use Case
Interviews
One-on-one conversations to gather detailed information.
When deep insights from key stakeholders are needed.
Workshops
Group sessions to collaboratively gather and analyze requirements.
When multiple viewpoints need alignment.
Surveys/Questionnaires
Written sets of questions sent to a large group.
When input from many stakeholders is required.
Observation (Job Shadowing)
Watching users perform tasks to understand processes.
To analyze real user behavior and workflow.
Document Analysis
Reviewing existing documents and systems for insights.
When legacy systems or processes are involved.
Brainstorming
Generating ideas in a group without immediate judgment.
For creative solutions and innovation.
Focus Groups
Discussions with a group of stakeholders to gather feedback.
When seeking consensus or diverse opinions.
Prototyping
Creating mockups or models of the solution.
To visualize requirements and refine them.
Mind Mapping
Diagramming ideas around a central concept.
To explore and connect complex requirements.
Requirements Workshops
Structured workshops focused on requirement gathering.
For in-depth discussion and validation.
✅ 4. Detailed Explanation of Popular Elicitation Techniques
🔹 a. Interviews
Purpose: Gain in-depth understanding of stakeholder needs.
Types:
Structured (pre-defined questions).
Unstructured (open conversation).
Example Questions:
"What are the main challenges you face in your daily work?"
"What functionality would help you perform better?"
🔹 b. Workshops
Purpose: Interactive sessions for requirement gathering and clarification.
Benefits:
Align different stakeholder views.
Faster decision-making.
Tips:
Use facilitation techniques to manage discussions.
Have a clear agenda and goals.
🔹 c. Surveys/Questionnaires
Purpose: Collect data from many stakeholders quickly.
Tips:
Keep questions concise.
Use both open and closed-ended questions.
Example: Google Forms, Microsoft Forms.
🔹 d. Observation (Job Shadowing)
Purpose: Understand real-world processes and problems.
Types:
Passive: Watching without interaction.
Active: Asking questions during observation.
Example: Watching a customer service agent handle calls.
🔹 e. Document Analysis
Purpose: Review existing documentation like user manuals, process flows, reports.
Benefits:
Understand current processes.
Identify gaps and pain points.
🔹 f. Prototyping
Purpose: Develop early versions (mockups, wireframes) of a solution to gather feedback.
Tools: Figma, Balsamiq, Adobe XD.
Benefit: Visual representation of requirements, reduces ambiguity.
✅ 5. Choosing the Right Elicitation Technique
Project Situation
Recommended Technique(s)
Gathering requirements from a key expert
Interviews
Aligning different stakeholder views
Workshops, Brainstorming
Collecting feedback from many users
Surveys, Focus Groups
Understanding actual workflows
Observation, Document Analysis
Exploring creative solutions
Brainstorming, Mind Mapping
Clarifying complex requirements visually
Prototyping, Wireframes
✅ 6. Role of Business Analyst (BA) in Elicitation
BA Responsibility
How it Supports Elicitation
Identify stakeholders
Engage the right people for information.
Plan elicitation activities
Choose appropriate techniques based on context.
Facilitate sessions
Ensure productive interviews, workshops, etc.
Document findings
Record accurate and complete requirements.
Clarify and confirm understanding
Avoid misinterpretation of needs.
Validate requirements with stakeholders
Ensure alignment and agreement.
✅ 7. Common Challenges in Elicitation and Solutions
Challenge
Solution
Unclear stakeholder needs
Use interviews, workshops, prototyping to clarify.
Conflicting requirements
Facilitate workshops to resolve conflicts.
Unavailability of stakeholders
Use surveys/questionnaires as an alternative.
Communication barriers
Use visuals like process maps, prototypes.
Hidden requirements
Combine multiple techniques (interviews + observation).
✅ 8. Summary of Elicitation Techniques
Aspect
Explanation
Goal
Understand true needs and requirements.
Methods
Interviews, Workshops, Surveys, Observation, Prototyping, etc.
BA Role
Plan, facilitate, document, and validate.
Challenges
Address via proper planning and technique mix.
🚀 9. Next Steps / What You Can Ask for:
Want templates for interviews, surveys, or workshops?
Need examples of real-world elicitation questions?
Looking for tools to support elicitation (online, remote tools)?
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